Reflecation Weekend Two

I learned so much this weekend. I love, love, love Power Point 2007. It is so much fun! I feel that I've reached my goals for this weekend and then some. I enjoyed Kidspiration alot as well. I think my students would love it; it is very visually stimulating:).
The most important/fun things that I've learned this weekend are:

• How to custom animate in Power Point
• How to edit clip art
• How to make a concept map in Kidspiration
• How to use more Microsoft Office 2007 programs

This has been a successful weekend! I have accomplished alot.

Final Project

My final project is a Power Point. I will use this Power Point at Open House and it will loop continuously during my meeting with my parents. It will contain important information regarding classroom and school policies and procedures. I am pleased with my work so far and I know this Power Point will be beneficial to my parents.
I think my Resource Coordinator and Principal will like this very much; we have never used a Power Point at Open House before! I love Power Point 2007 and am glad that I have begun to discover it this weekend. As for my final project, I know that we learn better when information is presented through pictures/images, etc. This is going to make the beginning of my school year great!

Bear Page

Here is a concept map I made in Kidspiration! I will use this map when we do our unit on bears. I love the visuals - I think they will be very helpful to the students.

I loved that you could change the colors of the arrows, the background, and lines. I also liked being able to pull up clip art easily and insert clip art from other sources.

I think it would be fun to make a concept map with my students. We could use this for all themes. I so want this in my classroom!

Goals for Weekend Two

My goals for weekend two are:

• To explore and learn about Inspiration and Kidspiration. I have never used either of these and heard so much about them. I hear they are awesome and fun. I am really looking forward to this!
• To begin working on a Power Point to scroll during my Open House. I have always wanted to do this, but have never gotten around to it. This will be something I will use for many years to come.
• To know what Pod casting is. I have heard the term, but have no experience with this.

I think weekend two will bring many new experiences. I am ready to learn some new technology!

Technology and MI Article Summary

The article MI & Technology: A Winning Combination! is a wonderful resource for teachers. It shares numerous ideas, websites, programs, etc. that can help teachers integrate technology into their classrooms. The articles also shows how these technologies can be used under each multiple intelligence to reach all students' interest and levels.
My group worked on and discussed the part of the article that had to do with "flow". Flow is basically when students get so involved and interested in what they are learning that they don't even realize that it's work. Flow should be a goal for all teachers. After all, if students enjoy what they are learning they are more likely retain the information and truly understand it.
Our group gave examples of personal experiences and student experiences with flow. Here are some of the things we shared:

• We gave the example of our Lesley Class playing and learning about Photoshop Elements during weekend one - many of us were in a state of flow:)
• Students using a Virtual Disection web site
• Using Microsoft Office programs: Excel and Power Point
• Using community web sites: Facebook and My Space

Overall, the article was very informative and it was an easy read. I would suggest my co-workers read it and use some of the ideas. Integrating technology is always a plus!

Weekend Reflection

It's the last blog of the weekend! I can't believe all the stuff we've learned. I have so enjoyed working in Photoshop Element. I could so see getting addicted to it. I am looking forward to creating a Power Point next class. I will be using it for Open House - I think my principal will love that.
Overall, this weekend has been productive. I definitely did better and caught on faster than I thought I would. I loved playing with the pictures. One of my favorite tools was the special effects.
I am leaving class today shocked that I never had a freak out moment. I am proud of myself. I hope to continue blogging throughout the next month - when I find the time. Until next time...

Hallway pictures

I liked this one:).